Why Dermatologists Warn Against Wearing Makeup On A Flight

There's nothing more exciting than heading to the airport to catch your flight and departing on an adventure to some far-off destination that you've been dreaming about for months. Embarking on a trip can feel electrifying and glamorous, so it's no surprise that some travelers prefer to look their best throughout their travels. If you're someone who takes particular care with your appearance, it may feel quite strange to arrive at the airport without a stitch of makeup on your face, but according to dermatologists, that is exactly what you should do.

Traveling can have some bizarre effects on the human body, and according to medical experts, it negatively impacts our skin. Wearing makeup while flying will likely make the situation even worse. 

When we travel via airplane, we will see and be seen by hundreds, if not thousands, of strangers. It's totally understandable if you feel tempted to do your makeup before you head to the airport, and ultimately you should do what makes you the most comfortable. Just keep in mind that if you wear makeup throughout your flight, you may end up suffering from a bad breakout a few days later. Dermatologists say it's best to let your skin breathe when you're on the airplane.

Images of people wearing moisturizing masks on flights may look like something out of a horror film, but there's no harm in trying to keep up with your skincare on a long flight. Masks and under-eye patches can certainly assist in rejuvenating your skin from that dry airplane air and help you to arrive at your destination feeling glowy, but the number one way to help your skin out while traveling is to forgo wearing makeup on the plane.

Airplanes are extremely dry. The air on a plane is actually drier than the air in the Sahara Desert, which can dehydrate your skin. Dry skin produces more oil, and wearing makeup can exacerbate the problem. "Heavy makeup can make things worse in this already dry environment," explains Dr. Sachin Gupta, a dermatologist at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, India (via Firstpost). "Full-coverage foundations and other occlusive cosmetic layers trap oil, sweat, and dirt from the environment, which makes it more likely that your pores will get clogged and you will break out."

According to another dermatologist named Dr. Justine Kluk, you could probably get away with wearing makeup on a shorter flight. But when it comes to long-haul flights that last more than a few hours, you definitely shouldn't wear makeup. She wrote on her website that no dermatologist will say it's okay to sleep with makeup on, and that "the same applies for removing your makeup before you go to sleep on a long-haul flight."

Flying is hard on our skin, so some dermatologists recommend beginning to prepare for air travel days before your trip begins. In a video posted on Instagram, a dermatologist named Dr. Skylar Souyoul said that she stops using retinol products a few days before she's scheduled to fly to make sure that her skin doesn't become overly dry.

Another dermatologist named Sam Ellis posted a video on Instagram in which she suggested starting your pre-flight skincare prep with a vitamin C serum for antioxidant protection. On top of that, she layers a hydrating serum containing ingredients like polyglutamic acid "to trap water against my skin." Then she follows the serums with a high-quality moisturizer and tops everything off with SPF to protect from the UV radiation that is very strong on airplanes. Ensuring that you drink plenty of water before, during, and after your flight is also crucial.

If you're not comfortable flying without any makeup, dermatologists often suggest opting for a lightweight tinted moisturizer instead of heavy foundations and powders. Try to choose non-comedogenic options that won't clog your pores, especially if you're someone who struggles with breakouts. Once your plane lands, it's a good idea to wash your face and body as soon as possible, but hot showers are one thing you should skip after a long flight. The hot water can further dry out your skin, which can cause it to produce even more oil. Opt for a lukewarm shower instead and make sure to moisturize.